Sacred Stories

Like A Grain of Wheat
Suggested Sacred Text
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. — Matthew 5:4
Sacred Story
Sometimes, the healers need healing. Sometimes, caring for patients heals the
healers. This is what happened last January when 47-year-old Larry was admitted
to the intensive care unit at St. Clare Hospital with H1N1 flu.
Almost no one on staff had much hope for his survival. One reason was the
deadliness of the flu, but another was a sickness of spirit among staff members
who were grieving the recent and shocking murders of four Lakewood police
officers. The staff knew these officers. They were used to seeing them in the
emergency department. They were friends, and the entire staff was grieving
their deaths when Larry was admitted to the ICU.
For the first week, there was every expectation among the staff that Larry would
not survive his illness. A doctor ordered a special bed for Larry that would place
him in a prone position. The staff had not seen this type of bed before. Some
saw it and said, “Really? That thing’s going to make him better?” After the
second week, some began to think, “Well, maybe he might possibly live.”
Under the heavy burden of their grief and the daunting odds against Larry’s
recovery, the St. Clare ICU staff kept their focus, attention and commitment to
Larry’s care. They kept faithful to their covenant of care while enduring their
own dark night of the spirit.
“In giving of themselves, just
like the grain of wheat, their
spirits found rebirth.”
Questions for Reflection
Who recently has brought renewal to your life?
Recall and share a time when you experienced healing through helping others.
As Larry gradually began to heal, so did the ICU staff. Giving of themselves in
compassion and faithful excellence brought about Larry’s healing, and his
healing accomplished theirs. In giving of themselves, just like the grain of
wheat, their spirits found rebirth.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it
dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24)
David Rapp
St. Anthony Hospital
Gig Harbor, Washington
20 S a c r e d S t o r i e s C a t h o l i c H e a l t h I n i t i a t i v e s 21